New Yahoo Chat Group “StatenIsland4OurKids”

February 2009

 

Dear Parents & Staff,

     For those of you whose children/students attend P.S. 25R, P.S. 37R, P.S. 373R and P.S. 721R, you are invited to join our Yahoo Chat group which has been in existence since Sept. 2008.

PS37RInfoExchange has been a sharing of ideas and information which many our staff and parents have come together to see what lies outside the walls of our school regarding the needs of our children. 

     We have been embarking on our technological talents this past semester and hope to further open the lines of communication between staff/parents, parents/parents and staff-parents/ and the world of Developmental Disabilities. Because we have opened this group to our 3 sister schools on Staten Island and have renamed it: StatenIsland4OurKids. This Chat group is listed on “Yahoo Groups.” Below is the description of the group as it is written on the website:

 

Hello Everyone… The administrations and staff of our 4 District 75 schools, ( P.S. 25R, P.S. 37R, P.S. 373R and P.S. 721R) felt that it would be beneficial and educational for both our parents and staff members to have a means to SHARE information on the latest news and research in the areas of various developmental disabilities. This YAHOO GROUP chat site is designed to be one where we can have an avenue to enlighten, inform and assist all parties concerned with information on the latest medical/health research, educational and behavioral practices, new government policies and the latest news on local and Staten Island based happenings that affect our children! This group is not designed to be a sounding board for any problems that you may face with the NYCDOE. This group is an opportunity for all parties to keep each other informed on the latest research and treatment methodologies. For security purposes, there is a mandatory requirement that all members are to be identified. Enrollment is open to any parent whose child attends a Staten Island, District 75 program within the NYCDOE that has “Blue Card” status, as well as any NYCDOE employee that works within a Special Ed. setting. Anyone outside these parameters that wishes to relate any messages to the group may do so through one of the eligible members.
PLEASE NOTE: NO personal or business related issues are to be discussed here that does not pertain to the subject matter mentioned above. This letter is being sent to all programs within the four Dist. 75 schools on Staten Island. If you have any questions and wish to speak to me directly, you can call me at P.S. 37R at 718-984-9800 or e-mail me at billdevery@yahoo.com or wdevery@schools.nyc.gov. Here’s wishing us and our children success during this school year!
Regards,

Bill Devery LCSW
School Social Worker
Moderator / StatenIsland4OurKids

Transition Services for Children with Autism

District 75 OFEA, Resources for Children with Special Needs, & the City council 1 in 150 Services Initiative Presents: “Transition Services for Children with Autism”

The workshop will assist parents and caregivers in understanding the components of transition planning.

Date & Time: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PS 37R – Auditorium – 15 Fairfield Street, Staten Island, NY 10308 (Between Crobin Avenue and Fairfield Street)

Help Make Libraries More Accessible for People with Disabilities

Dear Parents,

I am working with the New York Public Library (libraries in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island) to make it more welcoming of and accessible to library users with diverse disabilities. As part of this work, I am conducting focus groups and individual interviews (phone, email or in person) with library users with disabilities to learn about their library experiences good and bad and get their recommendations for change.

I will be conducting a focus group at the Mid Manhattan Library (40th and 5th Avenue, Manhattan), next Tuesday, from 2-4 PM and individual interviews for the next several weeks, including phone or email exchanges, if that’s easier.  Input from parents and teachers would be greatly appreciated as long as their children or students use public libraries in the NYPL system.

 I am particularly eager to get input from those who live in Staten Island and those with invisible disabilities (cognitive, emotional, etc.) since both these groups are particularly underrepresented in my work so far, but the input of any library user with a disability would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help with this.

Regards,

Harilyn Rousso, LCSW

Consultant, NYPL
Director, Disabilities Unlimited
3 East 10th Street, 4B
New York, NY 10003
212-673-4284
hrousso@nyc.rr.com 

PLEASE READ AND HELP SAVE EARLY INTERVENTION

PLEASE READ AND HELP SAVE EARLY INTERVENTION

This is to inform you that the Governor’s 2009-2010 budget proposal introduces legislation that would seriously affect the Early Intervention Program.  These include:
* Co-payments for early intervention services
* Stricter eligibility for children with speech delays
* fees for becoming an approved Early Intervention Provider and fees for Maintaining that approval
* Annual case quotas for individual providers

We feel strongly that this proposal legislation will have a strong impact on citizens of our state.  We urge you to contact your state Senator and Staten Assemblyman to protest the proposed bill (bill A158-A in the Assembly, bill S58-A in the Senate) which is now pending in the State Legislature.

You can find out who your state representatives are, and obtain their contact information by calling 311.  You may also visit the following web sites to obtain that information.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
http://www.senate.state.ny.us/senatehomepage.nsf/senators

If you wish to review the actual bill, you can do so by going to:
http://public.leginfor.state.ny.us/frmload.cgi?MENU-57882463 and type in the appropriate bill number (A158-A or S58-A)

Information on Inclusion Classes!

“Supporting Student & Families” is an all-day workshop scheduled for March 12 at 400 First Avenue, NY, NY. Least Restrictive Environment & the current models of inclusion in NYC will be included. Life space & life span considerations will form the basis of an investigation into articulation of students.

If you would like to attend, please contact Leslie Redding at 212-802-1519.

PTA Meeting at Main Site – Thursday, February 26, 2009

Please come to our next PTA meeting at our Main site, 91 Henderson Avenue (corner of Lafayette) at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, February 26, 2009.

Special Needs “Drama 4 All” at the JCC! Open to All Children with Autism Ages 6-14

The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC on Manor Road is sponsoring a FREE Music, Movement and Art Program for children with Autism AGES 6-14!

Thursdays beginning March 5, 2009 from 4-5:30 p.m. *12 Week Program

This exciting new program fully funded by HEAD ON Foundation will provide children with Autism an opportunity to improve social skills through the use of dramatic play. FINAL PERFORMANCE!

For further information please call (718) 475-5286

G.R.A.C.E. Foundation Weekly News

THE GRACE FOUNDATION

264 WATCHOGUE ROAD

STATEN ISLAND, NY 10314  TEL NO: 718-983-3800  FAX NO: 718-983-3858 

BOWL A THON 2009 – Hosted by the North Shore Rotary of Staten Island to benefit the Autistic Community.  A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Grace Foundation.

$75 per person.

Saturday, March 28th, 2009.  (12:30pm Registration)

Showplace Entertainment Center.

141 East Service Road, Staten Island.

For additional information please contact Christine DeHart at 917-417-9450.           

 

 PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS –  REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.  

The second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 10:00am at 264 Watchogue Road, Staten Island.  Please call the Grace Office at 718-983-3800 to register. 

 

ASPERGER PARENT SUPPORT GROUP – REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

Next group meets Thursday, February 19th, at 7:00pm.

264 Watchogue Road, Staten Island, NY.  Please call the Grace office at 718-983-3800 to register.

See flyer for additional dates.

 

SOCIAL SKILLS – Classes have started the week of September 7th.  Registration is still being accepted.  Please call Julie Larsen at 718-983-3800 for additional information. 

 

RECREATION PROGRAMS – If anyone is interested in our Recreation Programs please call Julie Larsen at 718-983-3800.  See attached flyer for details.

 

BOWLING – AT SHOWPLACE located at 141 East Service Road -off Victory Blvd.

Sundays, 10:00am – 11:30am.

 

GYM PROGRAM – Saturdays. October – June.   P.S. 55, 54 Osborn Ave, Staten Island.

Please call Julie Larsen at 718-983-3800 for further information.

Session 1 –   9:15am-11:15pm

Session 2 – 11:30am-  1:30pm 

 

LITTLE LEAGUE –  Begins in the Spring. Additional information to follow. 

 

SWIMMING – Saturdays 2:30pm-3:30pm and Mondays 5:30pm-6:30pm.  Please call Julie Larsen at 718-983-3800 to register.

 

METLIFE/METDESK WORKSHOP: Planning for the Future of Your Child or Dependent with Special Needs.

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009,  6:30pm.

Ocean 3 Restaurant, 2481 Richmond Road, Staten Island.

Call Anthony Calabrese at 718-966-3281 to register.

  

EVOLUTION DANCE COMPANY (Forest Avenue) – Dance Classes for children with special needs – Sundays.  Ages 3 and up.  Call Lisa for information at 718-909-2542.

 

AMERICAN KARATE OF STATEN ISLAND – Specializing in Assisting Children with Special Needs.  Call 718-761-7366 for additional information.

 

CALLA KARATE – Specializing in Assisting Children with Special Needs.  Call 718-720-2509 for additional information.

New York City Council – State of the City Address

This is a letter from Christine Quinn, NYC Council:

Dear New Yorker,

 

Yesterday I gave my annual State of the City Address at City Hall.

 

During my speech, I unveiled a plan to help jumpstart our local economy, support small businesses, and put money back into the pockets of struggling New Yorkers.  I also announced a partnership with the City to turn unsold, vacant homes into middle income housing.  And while the Council will present its response to the Mayor’s budget in early April, I outlined some new ideas for budget cuts and consolidations to help see our City through these difficult times.

 

If you would like to read or watch the speech and share any comments or questions you may have about these proposals, please click on the following link:

 

http://council.nyc.gov/html/soc/2009.shtml

 

Thank you.  I look forward to working with you as we continue to take on the tough challenges facing our City.

 

Sincerely,

Christine C. Quinn

Speaker

New York City Council

National Alliance on Mental Illness – Support Meetings & Special Events

NAMI Staten Island – The Borough’s Voice on Mental Illness Telephone: (718) 477-1700        e-mail namistatenisland@aol.com

•  Freedom from Fear –  308 Seaview Avenue at 7:00 p.m. Every Wednesday evening except when an information meeting is scheduled. 
• Prayer Meeting, 3rd Saturday of every month 11 a.m. to 12 noon Our Lady of Good Counsel, 10 Austin Place
• Peer Support – 1st and 3rd Saturday, 1:30 p.m. at the YMCA on Broadway